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Water Companies: Accountability

Asked by Douglas McAllisterLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 19 March 2026UIN 908383

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help increase accountability in the water sector.

Answered by Emma Hardy

For too long, water companies paid out billions in dividends while pumping sewage into our rivers. This Government is ending that. The Water White Paper creates a single regulator, prevention-focused enforcement, and tougher laws: banning bonuses for failure and ensuring water works for customers, not just shareholders.

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